trouble integrating new hen

hi! i was hoping for some advice about integrating a new hen. we have a small flock of 3 hens that we raised up together from the day they were born. we adopted a new hen 3.5 weeks ago. normally we wouldn't have tried to introduce a singleton, but her situation before coming to us was one of neglect. they were quarantined & we introduced the newby (fred is her name) 1st opposite a fence. we've been monitoring them & only intervening if the others corner her or it otherwise appears they are physically harming her. i'm disheartened because it's been over 3 weeks & they still attack her at night if she tries to come inside the coop to roost. she submits appropriately, but the "charlies angels" don't let up. we have a set up for her in the run so she can escape so she's safe from predators & them, & i'm not so much worried about her being injured, but we can see her trying to integrate & the other girls won't accept her. tonite we stumbled on a potential solution, they immediately stop if the in-coop light is turned off, but i imagine they'll continue chasing her around the yard tomorrow. any advice?

You may wish to consider having multiple feeding stations to reduce the likelihood of fighting over food / water. And yes, the hens will calm down once the light is switched off - not sure why the light is on as once they are roosting they are no longer feeding.
I also put a make-shift barrier on my roost so one area is separate from another - that way, subordinate hens can roost in peace.

If there is no harm being done from squabbles, then i would not worry too much about it. I have read on other threads that one can keep the newbie in a sectioned off part of the run, and introduce just one of your flock for a few days, and see how they get on. There are lots of threads on this subject, so feel free to search for them.

Good luck
CT

we have multiple feeding & watering stations & they free range throughout the day. we just moved from wi to or & used the lamp habitually b/c it's so cold there in the winter. but now we're in or so we probably don't need it, duh. thx for the info!

It may take three more weeks but before you know it, it will calm down. I just went through it introducing three new hens to my existing three and a roo. They were pretty relentless, and my newbies were submissive. It took all I had not to interfere (well ok, I did once or twice - they were being soooo mean!!!) and the newbies don't fight back - what's up with that??

I agree with CTKen about separating part of the roost for her. We all know the plusses of a good night's sleep! Good luck!